Folding chair



Abril 22, 1930. w. c. RASTETTER 1,755,896

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Aug. 5. 1925 l I 2 U 4 i wgwmi ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 22, 1930 WILLIAM C. RASTETTEB, OF FORT VIAYNE, INDIANA FOLDING CHAIR Application filed August 5, 1925. Serial No. 48,195.

This invention relates to improvements in folding chairs, and the object thereof is to provide a chair with folding supporting means and a tilting seat having means thereon engageable with said supporting means and operable to actuate said supporting means. Another object is to provide simple means in connection with the seat of a folding chair for actuating the folding parts accordingly as the seat is tilted in opposite directions. And a further object is to provide means of connection with a similar chair when folded so as to facilitate collective portability thereof.

These objects are accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation projected from Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a pair of folded chairs connected together, and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail elevation upon an enlarged scale, of the connection between the seat frame and the chair legs.

The characters appearing in the description refer to parts shown in the drawings and designated thereon by corresponding characters.

The invention comprises a frame 1 having parallel legs 2 spaced apart and connected adjacent their lower ends by a cross-bar 3 and brace 4, the cross-bar being substantially fiush with the front edges of the legs. A transverse rod 5 is secured in the legs 2 at points approximately midway between the bottom and top of the frame and affords pivotal support for a folding seat 6, through which the rod extends.

A pair of folding rear legs 7 are pivotally secured on the rod 5 respectively between the corresponding sides of the seat and legs 2 of the frame, the lower parts of the rear legs being connected together by a transverse. rod 8. Also, a cross-brace 9 is connected with its upper arms pivoted on the rod 5 between the sides of the seat 6, and with its lower arms pivoted on the rod 8, so that lateral movement of vented.

To each leg 2 of the frame upon its inner side at a point above the seat rod 5 is secured apendant arm 10 upon a corresponding pivot 11, its lower end having an elongated slot 12 through which the rod'8 extends and acts to limit the spread of the frame and the folding rear legs. The arms 10 are connectedtogether by a transverse bar 12 at a point thereon immediately above the top of the seat 6 when the latter is in horizontal position and serves as a stop to limit the upward movement of the rear end of the seat.- A stud 14 projects from each side of the seat adjacent its rear end, which studs bear against the correspondingarms 10 when the seat is moved to horizontal position so that the rear legs are thereby moved to extended position through the medium of said arms. Also, said studs, as the seat is folded into the frame, bear against the corresponding lips 15 that project inwardly from the rear legs so'that said rear legs are thereby folded into the frame. Collars 14 on the rod 5 are respectively disposed between the sides of the seat frame 6 and the corresponding legs 7 so that clearance is provided for the arms 10 when in folded position.

A back 16 preferably formed of wood veneer, of such thinness as to admit of flexure, is secured rigidly at its top inthe frame, and its lower end has at each side thereof a guide 17 that encompasses the adjacent arm 10 upon which it has sliding movement.

Upon the rear face of each of the folding legs is fixed a hook 18 disposed so as to receive therein the cross-bar 3 of a similar chair so that the two chairs are thereby connected together when placed one against the other.

In utilizing the invention the seat is swung downwardly upon its pivotal support until it reaches approximately a horizontal position with its rear end bearing against the cross-bar or stop 18 011 the arms 10. As the seat is thus swung into position for use the studs 14 engage the arms 10 and swing them outwardly, and said arms actuate the rear legs accordingly. Said studs also serve to prevent folding of the legs while the seat is the folding legs-relative to the frame is pre- I in horizontal position, and unintentional collapse of thechair is obviated. The chair is folded by elevating the front end of the seat so that it'swings into the frame, and while being thus moved said studs engage v the lips on the folding legs and cause said legs to swing into therframe while the arms 10 are actuated and'swung into the frame through their connections with the 1g folding legs.

- What I claim is: v

1. Afolding chair comprisingamain frame 7 having spaced side members constituting forelegs; a tilting seat supported between firsaid forelegs; rear legs having pivotal con- I nection with said forelegs; a pair of pendant arms having pivotal connection respectively with: said forelegs at points thereon above the said seat and having a stop in connection therewith for limiting the upward move ment ofthe rear end of the seat and havingalso operable relation with said rear legs; means on said seat engaging and actuating said arms as the seat is moved to position for use, means on said rear legs engaged by the seat as the seat is folded into the frame whereby closing movement is imparted to said-rear legs; and aback member secured at its upper end in the frame and having slid- .30 ing connection with said arms.

2. A,folding chair comprising a main frame having spaced side members constituting forelegs; a seat 'pivotally'supported between said forelegs; a pair ofrear legs pivotally-connected with 'saidforelegs; apair of pend-ant arms pivoted respectively at'their upper ends to said forelegs above the seat and having sliding connections at their lower ends with theoorresponding rear legs, with 40 which legs said arms have, limited sliding movement; a stop on said: arms engageable with the rear end of the seat to limit upward movement thereof; an inwardly extending lip on each of said rear legs; and a laterally projecting stud on each side of the seat adjacent the rear end thereof having actuating rela ti-onlwith the corresponding arm during the movement of the seat to position for use, and withsa'id lips to actuate said rear legs during the movement of the seat to folded position.

In testimony whereof aflix my signature.

VWILLIAM O. RASTETTER. 

